The program of the 8th annual Shire International Short Film Festival will be a snapshot of the current concerns and interests of the shire’s seniors.

The program for the one-day festival of short films has been selected by a committee of shire seniors and is a highlight of the shire’s Seniors Festival.

The Shire International Film Festival is being presented in partnership between Cinewest and Sutherland Shire Council.

The film festival curator Vahid Vahed of Cinewest wrote a list of potential films for consideration of the committee.

“Because it is happening during Seniors Week, the aim was to have senior citizens involved in this event,” he said.

“To make this relevant, we have a panel of senior citizens on a selection committee. We have up to 10 senior citizens for the shire area who are either interested in film or come form a film or television background.

“They have chosen 10 films and the selection this year has been amazing.

“I work with a range of selection committees and all have their own agendas, but basically the shire committee has picked films going on current affairs, reflecting what is going on in the world.

“Some films are entertaining, some are technical.

“They actually went for the most contemporary, interesting, exciting films.

“Highlights include Moriom, a documentary about a young Bangladeshi woman who is raped by a group of young men and how she survives the tragedy. I thought that subject matter might not go do with the committee, but the committee is diverse and they have the ultimate selection.”

Other films are 40th Anniversary from Spain, a story of a couple’s anniversary that turns into a competitive confessional.

Kukuschka is an animated film from Russia about a bird who follows the sun, while Lila is a joint Argentina and Spanish production that tells the story of a dreamy girl who can’t accept reality as flat as she perceives it.

Micro is an American film about a blind date, My Grandfather was a Cherry is an animated film from Russia telling the story of an unusual grandfather who can listen to the trees. The Beginning, also from Russia shows how a failed suicide attempt becomes the beginning of a long and happy life.

The Blondes is a Spanish crime caper, while The Unconventional Gourmet is a US comedy about a woman stuck in the 1950s searching for the perfect ingredients of an unusual family recipe.

Venice is an Australian film about young traveller, Josh who doesn’t understand backpacking and his mum who doesn’t understand Skype.

The Shire International Film Festival opens on Wednesday, March 29 at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre. Bookings phone 9521 8888.